Microsoft Taken to Task for WMV Only Streaming

Engadget’s The Clicker, has tackled Microsoft’s recent decision to allow streaming on the Xbox 360 from your Xp PC. The Fall update has enabled streaming of WMV files by any XP user, before the update this was limited to the Media Center edition of Windows. The new feature however is limited in its usability due to the lack of WMV content both legal and Illegal and the difficulty of transcoding AVI or other media files into WMV. Stephen Speicher talks about the decision and what Microsoft should do.

I thought it would be nice to put together a simple list of programs that quickly and easily transcode your DVR-MS, DivX, H.264, etc. content into WMV. Well… it’s a mighty short list. ZERO to be exact

Unlike DivX, whose presence is nearly ubiquitous in both the torrent world and the transcoding world, WMV transcoding is often ignored by the most popular transcoding programs. To make matters worse, Microsoft itself seemingly has no interest in helping users bridge the gap. It’s here where I usually chant “Help me help you.” You see — I’m quite willing to convert all my content to WMV. I’m quite willing to hand over my digital life to Microsoft. Why not? I’m already using MCE. I’m already using a Smartphone. What’s one more piece? Yet, no matter how hard I try, I just can’t give my videos to WMV. Microsoft just won’t take them.

I thought it would be nice to put together a simple list of programs that quickly and easily transcode your DVR-MS, DivX, H.264, etc. content into WMV. Well… it’s a mighty short list. ZERO to be exact. Ok — before I get too much email suggesting that X product can do this portion and Y product can do another portion, I’m not saying that converting is impossible. We all know it’s not. What I am saying is that when it’s much easier to convert my DVR-MS (Microsoft’s DVR) files for use on my iPod (using Nero’s Recode 2) than it is to view those same files on my 360, something is simply wrong. Microsoft needs to step up with the first party tools to make this go down.

I couldn’t agree more with his article, I don’t care what format it needs to be in just give me the tools to make whatever I have into the format I need. I want to be able to stream something other than the half dozen non porn WMV files on the internet.

Catch the rest of The Clicker: Dear Microsoft, “help me, help you” on Engadget

And in other Microsoft Xbox 360 News, it looks like they are going to start a digital distribution service for HD movies on the Xbox 360. The rumor also states that pricing should be comparable to iTunes with HD quality and the option to rent or Buy. The launch of this service is also rumored to be November 22nd. It will be interesting to see how this influences the sales of the HD DVD player for the 360. More on HD Movie Downloading for the Xbox 360